Sigi Schmid on the DP search, goalkeeper availability and #DempseyWatch

Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid spoke to reporters after Friday’s practice heading into the weekend’s home game against FC Dallas. Here were some highlights:

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— Despite being listed as “out” on the injury report, goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann (hamstring) has trained in full the past two days and could be available against Dallas, Schmid said: “His situation is going to be a game-time decision as to whether we feel Marcus can start, whether we feel Marcus can be on the bench.”

— Schmid added Hahnemann might not be available at all and that Michael Gspurning (forearm) is a bit farther back in his recovery.

— Asked how confident he feels the team will be able to sign a designated player with its recently opened spot, Schmid said: “We have until Aug. 8, so that still gives five, six days. There’s a number of players that Chris (Henderson), Kurt (Schmid), myself and Adrian (Hanauer) have talked about and discussed, so there’s a number of different options.”

— And what did Schmid think about all the attention surrounding the Clint Dempsey rumors yesterday, including some people going to the airport in hopes of spotting the USMNT star? “I was almost going to drive out (to the airport) myself,” the coach said. “I figured if I could spot him then that would be a good thing. I could maybe kidnap him, throw him back in the car and convince him to maybe play for us. It was interesting, for sure.”